The Bankrupt; Or, Advice to the Insolvent

The Bankrupt, Or Advice to the Insolvent by James Parkerson is a poem addressed to a friend about a destitute man who must find his way through hardship. Excerpt: "Oft have you prayed me, when in youth, Never to err from paths of truth, But youth to vice is much too prone, And mine by far too much, I own. Induced to riot, swear, and game, I thought in vice t'acquire a fame; But found the poisoning scenes of riot Soon robb'd my mind of joy and quiet. The usual course of rakes I ran, The dupe of woman and of man."